Oeading and ditching machine



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. 0. SAGE.

GRADING AND DITUHING MACHINE.

'NO. 378,406 Patented Feb. 21, 1888.

INVENTOR i ATTORNEYS.

A WITNESSES 3 SheetsSheet 2-.

I (No Model.)

' J. 0. SAGE.

GRADING AND DITGHING MACHINE.

No. 378,406. Patented Feb. 21, 1888.

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WITNE see- I\ d @IILEENTOR: 5:7 1 21am ATTORNEYS.

N. PETERS. Pmiu-um n hm. W-uhmghm. D; c

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3. J. 0. SAGE.

GRADING AND DITGHING MACHINE.

No. 378,406. Patented Feb. 21, 1888.-

INVENTOR N PETER$. Psmm-Lnho mmm Washnxghm. D c.

ilnrrnn STATES PATENT JOHN 0. SAGE, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

GRADING AND'DiTCHING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 378,406. dated February 21, 1888.

Application filed July 52, 1887.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be itknown that I, JOHN 0. SAGE, acitizen of the United States, residing at Atlanta, in the county of Fulton and State of Georgia, haveinvented certain new and useful Improve ments in Grading and Ditching Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists in theimproved con struction, arrangement, and combination of parts of a grading and ditching machine, as will be hereinafter fully described,and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1. is a side view of my improved grading and ditching machine, showing the powerwheels in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, partly in section. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation. Fig. 4. is a detail side view of the main conveyer with the power-wheels applied. Fig. 5 is a detail crossseetion on line 5 5, Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a partial front view of the machine. Fig. 7 is a top plan showing the plows and main conveyer shifted to one side of the machine. Fig. 8 is a detail front View of the plow'beam with plow-frame and plows. Figs. 9, 10 are detail views,hereinafterreferred to; and Fig. 11 is a detail cross section on line a: m, Fig. 1.

The same letters of reference indicate cor responding parts inall the figures.

1n the accompanying drawings, A A represent the main frame, which is suitably mounted on the axles a (1., said axles having the drive-wheels B B. (l dcnotcstheplow-beam, to the lower end of which is secured the plowframe I).

By reference to Fig. 8 it will be seen that the plow-franic consists of the crossbeain d, having the vertical side beams, d. Secured to each of the side beams are theplows EE, and to the crossbeam (Z is secured the shovel or colter plow F. The plow-beamOislooselyconnected to the main frame.

The main conrcyerG-is connected at its forward end to acrossbar, e, and windlass H by the cable Land at its rear end it is movably connected to the cross-bars fof the main frame in the following manner: The center bar or axle, I,passcs through the (l rum or belt pulley t, and has its ends projecting at either side thereof, as shown in Fig. 11. The body portion 1 of the axle I is square in cross'sectiou, while the Serial No. 243,291. (No model.)

1 ends 2 thereof are round, to form spindles or hearings to run in the boxes 3. These boxes are arranged to slide in the grooves 41. in the crosstimbers f.

The drum or pulley iis made with a square hole through its center and a little larger than the center axle, I, the object of this being to allow the drum to be moved to either side as much as possible. 'When the plows are working on the side of the machine, the drum is held in position on the center bar oijaxlc, I, by

axle I the beltpulleys 6 6, which will be hereinafter referred to.

Secured to the top of the main frame and arranged transversely thereto are cross-beams J J. Fitting over the timber J is a movable iron loop-hook, j, to which is fastened the end of a cable, 7. From this hook the cable 7 passes over a pulley, 8, secured to the center of the plow frame D, and thence over apulley, 9, secured to cross-piece J", to the Windlass H. By this arrangementit will be seen that, should the plow be working on one side ofthe machine and it be desired to move it to the other side, it will only be necessary to allow the plow to rest on the ground and move the loophookj on the cross-beam J to the other side of the machine. Then by tightening the Windlass H the plows will be raised, and they can then be placed at any point desired. The front end of the main conveyer is arranged in a similar manner. The cable or chain 1 is connected to the loop-hook 2,which slides on the crossbar C, passes over a pulley, 10, connected to the main conveyer-frame, and thence over ihepulley h to the Windlass H.

To each of the plows E is secured a clcvis, K, to which hooks the center dragchain, L, and the outside drag or stay chains, L. On each end of the center dragchaiu, L, is arranged hooks 11 12. One of these hooks, 11, is hooked into the clevis at any desired point. The other end of the chain passes through a ring, 13, in the back end of an iron dog-bar, 14, thence back and hooked into one of its own links. The iron dog-bar is shown in detail in Figs. 9 and 10, and consists of a fiat piece of iron, its upper end looped so as to allow the pole or tongue M to pass through it, said looped part being provided with a spur, 15,whic h enters into notches in wearthe clamps 5. These clamps also secure to the plate N on the upper face of the tongue M, thus forming a hinge-bearing. I

I Near the back end of the clog-bar is a series of small holes, 16, into any one of which and through a hole, 17, in the tongue or pole the lock-pin 18 can enter. The object of this arrangement is to control the line of draft, and by arranging the spur and lock-pin 18 in the proper holes the horses will be relieved from any unnecessary weight from the pole or tongue. The outside drag or stay chains are arranged thus: One end is wrapped around the front axle and hooked into one of its own links and the other end hooked to the clevis K.

: Generally only one outside chain would be used. WVhen the machine is to be turned around, it would be necessary first to release the outside chains and with the Windlass raise the plow up out of the way, and as the front wheels are low enough to turn under the floor A of the machine the same could be turned in a space very little more than its own length.

A represents the floor of the machine, and is divided into two parts, the rear part extending from the back end of the machine to a little in front of the hind axle, the front part from a point about over the plow-points to the front end of the machine, as shown.

When the machine is to be moved any considerable distance, the plows and main conveyer may be raised up so as to admit of a false floor being placed under them, and thus relieve the windlass and at the same time have the load as close to the ground as possible.

M represents the pole or tongue, which is connected to the main frame of the machine by the king-bolt m. This pole can be shifted laterally by removing the king-bolt m and adjusting same in a series of holes in the front axle and beam A of the main frame. Bracechain 0, which is fastened at each end to the axle near the hubs, passes through an aperture, 20, in the pole, and eanbe secured at any desired point by a suitable lock-pin, 21.

The plows E E are placed in the center of the plow-frame, which leaves room enough to allow the plows to work as far out as possible on each side and at the same time run level and allow the plow-beam to pass under frametimber A. To the cross-piece d of the plowframe, and extending rearwardly, is secured an apron or shield, 30, to guide the earth onto the main conveyer.

Motion is imparted to the main conveyor as follows: 21 represents a pulley or drive shaft, a, from which runs a crossed cable, a up over a pulley, 22, on a shaft, 23. On this shaft are mounted pulleys 24 24, from which the endless cables 25 25 run over the pulleys 6 6 on the upper shaft, I, of the main conveyer. The pulleys 24 24 are movable and are arranged in this manner,s0 that they can be shifted when the main conveyer-drum is moved to either side.

If at any time it becomes necessary to have more power than the two drive-wheels produce (as in case of the earth being wet or of such a nature as to let the drive-wheel's slip) to run the main conveyer, power' wheels P P may be applied to the lower end of the conveyer. as follows:

Journaled in the center timbers of the main conveyer, transversely thereto and at the lower end thereof, is a short shaft, 27, the ends of which are threaded and are so cut that when the power-wheels P P are turned they will tighten up until the backs of the wheels jam up hard against the Washers 28 28, which in turn bear hard up against the center timbers of the conveyor G.

The power-wheels P are so constructed that their spokes p, which are of iron or ironpointed, go through the tire, so as to enable them to take better hold on the earth. The power-wheels are provided with grooved pulleys 29, from which runs a crossed cable or belt, 60, to the pulleys 6 6, as shown.

Fig. 7 shows the plows working to one side, the object of this being to enable the plow to remove the earth close up to the side of a cut when said side is to be left perpendicular, or nearly so. When the plow is in this position, the upper end of the conveyer G is in a slight crosswise position, as shown. This, however, does not interfere with the working of the machine. R represents the auxiliary or side conveyer, which is supported between the vertical beams 31 31 of the main framing'of the machine and arranged transversely to the main conveyor. This conveyer R is adapted to receive the earth from the main conveyer and deposit the same either into a wagon or to either side of the machine.

32 32 are the side timbers of the conveyor It, in each end of which are journaled the.

drums or pulleys 33 33, over which passes the endless conveyor-belt. As will be seen by reference to Fig. 3 of the drawings, this conveyer is adjustably secured to the main frame of the machine as follows:

34 34 represent the spindles of the drums 33 33, said spindles extending a short distance beyond the side timbers of the conveyer, as shown. These spindles havetheir bearings in the n-shaped balls 35 36, to the upper central portions of which is connected the supportingchain 37. 38 38, suspended from the top cross-piece, 39, of the main frame.

By suspending the conveyer R in the manner described it .may readily be placed in any desired position, and when in such position it can be securely held in such position by means of the pins 40 40, which pass through one of a series of holes, 31, in the timbers 31 31, and any one of the holes 41 41 in the side timbers of the conveyer B. This conveyer receives motion from the shaft by means of an endless chain or belt, 42, which passes over pulley 44 on the shaft 23, thence over loose pulleys 45 45, secured to the main frame, thence over loose pulleys 46 46 on the side timber of the conveyer, and thence over the pulleys 47 48 on the spindles 34 84, as shown. When it is de- IIO This chain passes over the pulleys sired to change the conveyor It from one side to the other, remove the pins 40 40, then by hand push the conveyor to the desired position, repin it, and change or cross the cable 42.

To operate the machine, it would be first necessary to get it headed in line of the ex cavation. Then, with plow and main conveyor in posit-ion, the machine is moved forward, the plows E will sink into the earth as deep as allowed by the windlass H, the earth as cut by the plows will be forced upon the apron 30 onto the main conveyer G, from which it drops onto conveyor lhand thence deposited on either side into wagons or carts, or, if digging a ditch, dropped on the ground on either side desired.

\Vhile I have described my machine as being arranged to be operated by horsepower, it is manifest that the same could be operated by traction-engine power. In this case it would only be necessary to disconnect the pole or tongue and attach the front axle of the machine to the engine by chains or any other suitable manner; or the front wheels could be taken off, and the front end of the frame can be fastened to the back end of the engine and plows fastened to the axle of the drive-wheels.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent 1. In a grading and ditching machine, the combination, with a main frame or platform, A, carrying plows E, of the main conveyor G, disposed to receive the earth from the plows, said conveyor adjnstably connected to the main frame A, and provided at its lower end with the power-wheels P I, (said wheels having the drive-pulley 29,) and the pulleys 6 6, at its upper end, adapted to impart motion to the conveyor through the chain or belt 60, substantially as shown.

2. In a grading and ditching machine, the main conveyor G, said conveyer being adjustably secured at its lower end to the main frame A by means of the crosspie'ce e, chain or cable 1, pulleys 10 h, and Windlass H, and movably secured to the main frame atits upper end, substantially as shown.

3. In a grading and ditching machine, the main conveyor G, adjustably secured at its lower end to the main frame A and movably secured at its upper end to the main frame, said conveyor having the shaft I, carrying the drum t, said shaft journaled in sliding boxes 3, said boxes adapted to slide in grooves in the cross-piecef, substantially as shown.

et. In a grading and ditching machine, the main conveyor G, adjustably connected at its lower end to the main frame and provided at its upper end with the shaft I, said shaft provided with the drum or belt pulley '13, the body portion of said shaft being square in cross section, said shaft provided with the drivepulleys 6 6, and securing-clamp 5 5, the ends of said shaft being round, adapted to journal in sliding boxes 3, said boxes adapted to slide in the grooves 4, substantially as shown.

5. In a grading and ditching machine, the combination, with the main conveyor, of the auxiliary conveyer 1%, said conveyor being adjustably suspended transversely to the main conveyer on the main frame and adapted to a movable adjustment by means of the lockpins 40, and holes 31 and 41, substantially as shown.

6. In a grading and ditching machine, the combination of the main frame of the beam G, having the plow-frame D, said frame having the plows E E and colter F andapron 30, secured thereto, the clevis K and draftchains L L, secured to the dog-bar 14, said beam and plows adapted to vertical and lateral adjustment by means of the cross-bar J, cable 7, pulleys 8 and 9, and Windlass H, substantially as shown.

7. In a grading and ditching machine, the combination of the plow-frame D, having the plows, said frame provided with the dragchain L of the dcg'bar 14, said bar connected with the drag-chain, substantially as shown.

8. In a grading and ditching machine, the combination of pole M, having notches in its upper face, of the dogbar, said bar adapted to embrace the pole, and provided with the spur to enter the notches in the pole, and provided with the rearwardlyextending arm, said arm having holes to receive the loclepin 18, and provided with the ring 13, adapted to receive the end of drag-chain, substantially as shown.

9. In a grading and ditching machine, the main conveyer G, provided with a transverse shaft at its lower end, the said shaft having a screw-threaded journal adapted to receive the power-wheels l, the spokes of said wheels passing through the tire, substantially as shown.

JOHN 0. SAGE.

Witnesses:

J. H. Janus, AMOS Fox. 

